Following the early explorations of Cabeza de Vaca, the history of the Big Bend region is linked with Spanish Missionaries and the settlers and ranchers who began to push westward in the 1800’s. The Big Bend area was surveyed by Major W. H. Emory of the International Boundary Survey Commission of the United States and Mexico in 1852. Emory Peak, with an elevation of 7,835 feet, the highest in the Park, was named for Major Emory.
A later episode of historical significance is associated with the expedition of Lt. Echols in 1859-1860. Lt. Echols was sent from Fort Stockton to locate a site for an Army post in the Big Bend area, near the Comanche War Trail. During this expedition, in which camels were used to test their value in the desert southwest, Lt. Echols traveled along the Comanche Trail through an extensive section of the Park. In his report, which was published in Messages and Documents, Lt. Echols described his visit to the Santa Elena Canyon. He selected a site for a post near Castolon and reported favorably on the use of camels in the southwest.
After the Civil War settlers moved farther into the southwest and ranching became the principal industry throughout western Texas. The Southern Pacific Railroad, in keeping apace with this western movement, reached the present site of Alpine in 1882. Alpine was settled in 1883 and Marathon in 1886.
GREEN GULCH—Visitors entering the basin, follow the road up Green Gulch. Rock outcroppings include Casa Grande of upper left and erosive spires of Pulliam Mountain on the upper right.
Following this period, southwestern Texas passed through an era of cattle rustling, bandits and outlaws, with much of the activity centering around the Big Bend country. Texas rangers wrote vivid pages in this phase of Texas history, which was truly the “Wild West.” Graphic accounts of the daring and bravery which these men portrayed in establishing law and order has been dramatized in hundreds of stories and motion pictures.
The epic events of the “Old West” have contributed extensively to the popularity of the western cowboy, who might well be placed in the Hall of Fame with other American immortals.
THE CHISOS MOUNTAINS—At a distance of ten miles across the plains, the Chisos Mountains form a bold outline against the sky. This mountain group reaches an elevation of 7,835 feet above sea level.
The story of Big Bend’s development into a National Park reflects the interest and enthusiasm of the people of Texas. It was through the diligent effort and unselfish action of these people that this new Park has been set aside by the Congress of the United States for the preservation of its many natural features and the enjoyment of the people.